Current job title: Sr. Administrative
Assistant
Industry: Health insurance
Department: Claims Production
Operations
Years worked in this industry: More
than 4
Years worked in this department: More
than 4
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): The
recruiter knew me from a previous job and recommended me for the position.
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: I directly support the
department director and indirectly support his 7 managers. I also
minimally assist one other department manager.
Typical work hours: 8-4:30
Weekends or overtime hours: Overtime is
discouraged.
General salary range
(Note: This is a general figure or range provided by survey respondent and may
NOT be an exact salary in order to
give survey respondent some privacy. Also you must take into account that
the number of years worked in industry/department may contribute to this
salary as well as criteria such as level of position and person reports
to, required hours and geographical location.): $26,000
to $41,000
Benefits (direct or indirect):
Ironically, the only benefit that is poor is the health insurance benefit.
We converted to the low premium, high deductible health insurance program
this year and it’s like taking a pay cut to the tune of $3,000 deductible
per family. Preventive care visits are covered, but if you get sick,
you’re on your own.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
Claims are referred to as “front end” when this is the first pass of the
claim through the department for processing.
“Back end” claims are those that need to be reprocessed due to any number
of reasons, but usually is because the claim is missing a required piece
of information, such as an authorization, a referral, missing doctor
notes, etc.”
TAT is Turnaround Time, i.e. the time it takes for a processor to receive,
process and submit a claim for payment.
A typical day on the job: Almost every
day is different. In the building I’m in we have about 150 people in my
department, processors, etc. I seem to be the “go to” person for
everything from needing supplies, making a welcome back sign for someone
who has been on LOA, to reporting a stopped up sink. I set up meetings
using Outlook, I monitor vacation schedules for leadership, prepare
PowerPoint presentations, maintain overtime trackers for the production
people, update informational bulletin boards. You name it. I probably do
it.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: I can’t speak for the whole
industry, but working in the Claims Department I am exposed to many, many
people, most of whom are quite young – some on their first job, and I love
talking to them and watching them mature, get married, have babies,
succeed in their work. One other thing that this department can offer is
flexibility in work schedules. We have people who work split shifts, part
time, 4X10 – whatever it takes to get their hours in for the week. As an
administrator, I don’t have that much flexibility, but if I need to shift
my hours for a doctor appointment, I never have a problem doing that.
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: There are very few
administrators in the company, relatively speaking, and there is no
opportunity to advance to a higher position unless you work for an
executive, and again, this company only has two executives in this state.
And, again, not speaking for the industry, but this company, our health
insurance plans is terrible.
Type of workspace/office:
cubicle
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position:
1. To provide timely, accurate, professional work products.
2. Act as a liaison between the director and his peers, direct reports,
his boss, and callers.
3. Act as a troubleshooter for the production department as a whole.
4. To be a trusted and valuable asset to the department through the eyes
of other the people in other departments we depend on to get our jobs
done.
5. To create programs that assist in maintaining the morale of the
department.
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement: The
ability to be flexible in changing priorities at a moment’s notice, to be
able to take the initiative to do something that needs to be done – not
wait to be told, to have excellent communications skills, and to present
all work products in a professional manner.
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Computer, of course, photocopier, fax machine, laminator, hand calculator.
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
Creating spreadsheets and formulas, creative skills in developing
PowerPoint presentations.
Critical soft skills: Communication
skills are essential in getting information to the production staff, and I
consider myself very good and conscientious about that. In addition, I am
sometimes called on diffuse difficult people situations. I am a sounding
board for floor people, as well as team leaders and coaches who are having
people problems.
Pace of this position: Average
Geographical region: Northeast U.S.
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™